Student Success: BMCC Alumnus Niko Tyndale
Niko Tyndale, who graduated in 2018 with an associate degree in human services, won the Vanguard Award in 2019 and has begun a career in social work.

The Power of Reading to a Child
Interim President Karrin E. Wilks read the children’s book Dragons Love Tacos to an audience of small children in the BMCC Early Childhood Center (ECC) on April 10. According to ECC Executive Director Cecilia Scott-Croft, the Center’s programs have created a sense of community through partnerships around campus to support student parents. Also, she said, having the interim president take time out of her schedule to read to the children affirms a “Culture of Care” at BMCC.

BMCC Hosts First Hackathon
More than one hundred BMCC students, alumni and volunteers participated in the college's first ever Hackathon on April 6 in Richard Harris Terrace at 199 Chambers Street. The event, which began at 8:30 a.m. lasted until well past midnight. The hackathon created an informal learning environment where students had an opportunity to innovate, learn, collaborate, build community, solve a problem and share the solution with the community. Throughout the day, students learned from tech industry experts who provided feedback and insights and later judged submissions. 

Original Hip Hop Musical 'To Catch a Fox' at BMCC April 10-14 The BMCC Speech, Communications and Theatre Arts Department, the Office of Academic Affairs and the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, with support from the BMCC Foundation, are presenting To Catch a Fox, a new hip-hop retelling of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. The event is free. For more information on dates and times, click here.

BMCC 2019 Student Art Show Opens April 17
The Shirley Fiterman Art Center will present the annual BMCC Student Art Show with an opening reception on April 17. The exhibition will remain on display through May 10.

CUNY START Draws Highest Praise from U.S. Department of Education
BMCC CUNY Start is part of a CUNYwide initiative that has been accorded the highest evaluation standard from the What Works Clearinghouse of the U.S. Department of Education.

Save the Date: 2019 BMCC Foundation Gala May 16
The BMCC Foundation 2019 Gala — Invest in a Future, Celebrate Success — is scheduled for May 16 at Cipriani, 25 Broadway in lower Manhattan. This year's honorees are Tim Gokey, President and CEO of Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc., and the Herbert and Audrey Rosenfield Fund. Special guest artist honoree is Ashley Bouder, Founder and Director, The Ashley Bouder Project and Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet. The Foundation is also celebrating the 20th anniversary of BMCC’s Out in Two Program with recognition of its visionary founder and former BMCC President, Dr. Antonio Pérez. The emcee is Baruch Shemtov of Fox 5 News. For more information, contact Tracie Basch at (646) 483-8018 or [email protected].

BMCC Hosts 54th Commencement: May 31
On May 31, BMCC's 54th commencement will present two ceremonies at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden – one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. The 54th Commencement Presidential Medal honorees are Margaret Chin, Council member for the 1st District of the New York City Council (D) and Bill Fisse, Managing Director, Institutional Clients Group, Citi. Information for students and faculty can be found on the BMCC website. The Morning Ceremony will feature Accounting, Business Management, Computer Information Systems, Teacher Education, English, Health Education, Mathematics, Media Arts and Technology, Science, Speech, Communications and Theatre Arts, Music and Art and Modern Languages majors. The Afternoon Ceremony will feature Liberal Arts, Allied Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Human Services and Criminal Justice, and Nursing majors. For more information call the Office of Student Affairs at (212) 220-8130.

BMCC VITA Program Offers Free Tax Prep
Each year the BMCC Accounting Department trains students to become volunteer tax-preparers. Students who pass the IRS Basic and Advanced Volunteer Tax-Preparers Exam are placed by NYC Food Bank and the Urban Upbound at various sites throughout the metropolitan area to volunteer. To learn more about the program and the BMCC Accounting Department watch this video.

Call for Volunteers: Commencement Production Assistants BMCC staff members interested in serving as Production Assistants at the college's 54th Commencement Ceremonies on May 31 at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden are invited to RSVP online by April 26, selecting either a morning (8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) or afternoon (1:30 to 6:30 p.m.) shift. Production Assistant meetings will be held at 199 Chambers Street in Room N-451 on May 14 at 10 a.m., and May 16 at 2 p.m. For more information, contact Katherine Bedoya, [email protected].

Emergency Funds Available to Students From Petrie Foundation
BMCC has received funds from the Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation to offer emergency grants to eligible students who are facing short-term emergencies. Please encourage students who can demonstrate need and who are facing an unexpected emergency to apply for the Petrie Grant. Please note that all grant requests require documentation. Applicants will be asked to complete certain requirements before they may be eligible to receive grant funding. While Petrie grants will not be given for tuition cost, college debts or legal representation, we encourage students to visit the Single Stop office to discuss their concerns. To find out more about the grant and to access the application, students may visit the Single Stop Office in Room S-230 or visit our website.

BMCC Upgrades Charging Stations
BMCC has upgraded its charging stations at 199 Chambers Street to meet the needs of students, faculty and staff. As technology continues to evolve, more members of the BMCC community are highly dependent on communication by cell phones and tablets. BMCC’s upgraded charging stations have been placed at S-130A, N-450, N-430, N-466, N-480, S-530, S-533, N-561, N-580, N-598, S-613, N-662, N-679, N-698 and N-777. For more information, contact Information Resources and Technology, (212) 220-8360.

Black Lives Matter Co-founder to Speak at Symposium: April 12 Black Lives Matter Co-founder Patrisse Cullors will be the keynote speaker at the Faculty Symposium: Black Lives Matter, Six Years Later on April 12 from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. in Richard Harris Terrace at 199 Chambers Street. Sponsored by the Department of Social Sciences, Human Services, and Criminal Justice, the symposium will center on Black Lives Matter, the social movement spawned by the criminalization and state-sanctioned violence of Black bodies that impelled the nation to acknowledge the humaneness of Black people and the “past in the present.” For more information, contact Jamie Warren at [email protected] or Amy Sodaro at [email protected]. To watch this event on LiveStream click here.

Sustainability Fair April 17
BMCC will host its annual Sustainability Fair on April 17 in Richard Harris Terrace at 199 Chambers Street from 12 to 4 p.m. The event will feature activities and exhibits including sustainable research demonstrations, organic and locally sourced food as well as door prizes for students.  Throughout the afternoon, the film This Changes Everything will be screened in the Commuter Lounge. For more information, click here.

Asian Heritage Month Dinner: April 18 The 31st annual Asian Heritage Month Dinner will take place April 18 at 6 p.m., Golden Unicorn Restaurant, 18 East Broadway, 2nd floor. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at 199 Chambers Street through Gloria Chao, S-717D; Christina Lam, N-768B, Lina Wu, N-598H and Phyllis Niles, S-410P. Make checks payable to BMCC Auxillary Enterprise.

Re-Entry/Entry Symposium: May 3 BMCC will host the Re-Entry/Entry Symposium: Pedagogy, Programs and Policies that Support and Sustain Justice-Involved CUNY Students on May 3 in the Fiterman Conference Center, 13th floor, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This event is open to all CUNY schools. RSVP Here. For more information, contact Professor Lisa Rose at [email protected]

Save the Date: Service Awards, May 16
Every year, BMCC honors civil service and classified staff employees in a luncheon recognizing years served. This year, the event will take place in the Fiterman Conference Center. Stay tuned for details.

Guidelines for Posters and Flyers on Campus The Office of Public Affairs consults with BMCC departments, offices, faculty and staff to promote events and initiatives in an effective manner, reaching audiences on multiple platforms. Learn how to maximize college resources including the @BMCC e-newsletter, TV monitors, BMCC calendar and social media.

Summer 2019 STEM Tuition Waiver
BMCC is offering tuition waivers to eligible students who enroll in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) courses in Summer 2019. To be eligible, a student must be matriculated at BMCC, a New York City resident, and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident at the time the waivers are applied. For more information visit the Academic Advisement and Transfer Center, Room S-108, 199 Chambers Street, or email [email protected].

BMCC Employee Appreciation Awards: Submit Ballots by April 30 Students, faculty and staff—show your appreciation for staff (non-faculty) members who demonstrate outstanding achievement, performance and creative contributions through their role at BMCC—beyond what is normally expected of employees. Fill out your ballot and submit ONE nomination in each category: Leadership, Inspiration, Innovation/Technology, Rookie of the Year and Team Achievement. You get ONE chance to submit your ballot... make it count by filling in a thoughtful, detailed nomination by no later than April 30.

Faculty Invited to Participate in COACHE Job Satisfaction Survey
Full-time faculty are invited to participate in the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE) job satisfaction survey. Data collected by COACHE gives voice to faculty about the successes and struggles of working in academia. By participating in the study, faculty will have an opportunity to share their perspective about working at BMCC and CUNY in a secure and confidential manner. Faculty will receive an email with a personalized link to the survey. For more information, visit the COACHE survey page.

Free Tax Preparation Available to BMCC Community BMCC students, faculty and staff who have a pre-tax household income at or below $54,000 can take advantage of FREE tax preparation at BMCC. Walk-in services are offered at 199 Chambers Street, Room S-230 now through April 15 from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays; from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Fridays; and from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays. This service is provided with support from Citigroup in collaboration with BMCC Single Stop. For more information visit online or call (212) 220-8195.

Plaza Reconstruction Capital Project
As part of the upcoming Plaza Reconstruction project at BMCC, abatement of hazardous materials identified in the underlayment of the existing pavers will be performed at various phases of the construction project. This activity, which began January 21, is regulated by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, which ensures the safe and proper removal and disposal of these materials. Abatement notifications posted on all building entrances are part of these requirements and are there to inform the occupants of these activities. The required notices are not meant to alarm our building occupants, but to keep everyone informed that the work will be performed in a safe and regulated manner. We apologize for any inconvenience this upcoming construction may cause as we work to improve our facilities.

BMCC Website Faculty Pages Guide Available
The Office of Public Affairs has installed WordPress—a content management system which will make BMCC website use easier for faculty and staff—and is scheduling training sessions with liaisons from BMCC offices and departments on the use of this system. In addition, BMCC faculty can now access and update their Faculty Pages, using the Faculty Page Guide found on the BMCC Faculty and Staff Resource webpage. If you have questions, please call Manny Romero, Executive Director of Public Affairs, at (212) 220-1238.

Significant Increase in Credits Earned by New Fall Freshmen at BMCC
The Spring 2019 Student Success Report Card shows that the new freshmen who entered full-time in Fall 2017 earned significantly more college credits in their first year than new freshmen in the three prior years. Almost 12 percent of the new full-time freshmen earned at least 30 credits in their first year, and the overall average for new full-time freshmen in Fall 2017 was just under 15 credits. Factors contributing to this jump were changes in developmental placement tests that put fewer students in remedial courses, and the expansion of the co-requisite course model that puts students in credit-bearing courses while still supporting them with their college math and English skills. For more details, visit the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Analytics​.

Summer and Fall 2019 Registration Is Open
Please encourage students to continue on their path to success and register for the summer and fall 2019 semesters. Things to know: All students must meet with their advisor before registering. Students can register on CUNYfirst or visit Lab Services in Room S-114.  For more info, visit the Registration page, contact Academic Advisement in Room S-108 or call (212) 220-8315.

Admissions and Financial Aid Info Sessions
Prospective students are invited to attend information sessions for an overview of BMCC and the admissions and financial aid process. They can also take part in a Q & A with admissions and financial aid specialists. For more information, check the Admissions website​, or contact the Admissions Office, (212) 220-1265.

Say Hello to the Admissions Office on Social Media
The BMCC Admissions Office has launched new social media accounts. Stop by online and say hi! We appreciate your likes, follows and thumbs up. Facebook: @bmccadmissions Twitter: @bmccadmissionsInstagram: @bmccadmissions Snapchat:@explorebmcc

BMCC commencement speakers announced
April 10—Inside Higher Ed

BMCC student speaks out against Fascism
April 5—World Socialist Web

Campus Peace Office and Computer Operations Manager Exams Open
CUNY Civil Service exams are open now through April 23 for the Computer Operations Manager and now through April 30 for the Campus Peace Officer. Candidates can file for the exam by either going to the CUNY website or the Exams Xpress System.

Election of the Representatives to the College Council, STAFF ONLY
Send your nomination by April 17, via email to any member of the election committee (Alicia Perdomo, [email protected]; Monica D. Foust, [email protected]; Glenn F. Miller, [email protected]; Manita M. Pavel, [email protected] or Christine Priano, [email protected]). If you have questions, please contact Alicia Perdomo, Chair of the Election Committee: (212) 220-5174 .

Health Benefits Program Transfer: Through April 30
Now through April 30, you can enroll in or make changes to your BMCC employee health plan. These changes will be effect July 2019. To review plans and access the necessary forms, visit the New York City Office of Labor Relations, Health Benefits website. Please submit forms to the Office of Human Resources, 199 Chambers Street, Room S-717. For more information, contact Diana Lopez, [email protected].

Commuter Benefits Provider Is Changing, Meanwhile Some Actions Are Affected
As of Spring 2019, the City of New York is changing its commuter benefits provider from WageWorks to Edenred Commuter Benefit Solutions. On April 17 through 19, Edenred cards will be mailed. Please verify your address within WageWorks. Log into your account or calling (877) 924-3967, and provide your ID code, the last four digits of your reference number, located on employee paystubs. Through April 22, you will not be able to change your commuter plan or enroll in a commuter benefit. You WILL be able to change your mailing address/email, the dollar amount of your benefit if your plan allows, and address suspect payroll deductions as well as cancel your benefits. On June 30, WageWorks will close. Remaining WageWorks funds will be transferred to Edenred in August.

Meet With a TIAA Representative on Campus Faculty and staff can schedule an appointment at BMCC with a representative from TIAA, now through June. For more information, call (800) 732-8353 or visit a session schedule.

Mandatory Workplace Violence Prevention Training: Online or Classroom Sessions
All BMCC faculty and staff must complete an annual Workplace Violence Prevention Training by registering through CUNY Blackboard. Part-time employees must complete the course by the end of the Spring 2019 semester; full-time employees by July 31. For more information, contact Maria Deckinger, [email protected] or (212) 220-1496.

Deer Oaks EAP Now Offers Phone and Video Counseling
As part of BMCC's Employee Assistance Program, Deer Oaks offers video and structured telephonic counseling in addition to traditional in-person counseling service. Employees can schedule calls with a counselor in advance by calling (855) 492-3633 or emailing [email protected].

Pre-Tax Limit for Wageworks Commuter Benefits Increased
The pre-tax limit for monthly Commuter Benefits deductions (WageWorks) increased from $260 to $265 on January 1. No paperwork is required to activate the increase, but those who wish to change their deduction or enroll in the program may visit the Benefits page of the BMCC Human Resources website, complete the WageWorks Transit Benefit form and submit it to Human Resources, 199 Chambers Street, Room S-717.

Enhance Your Skills Through CUNY Professional Development
The CUNY Professional Development and Learning Management (PDLM) Office presents the CUNY Professional Development Program now through June 19. BMCC faculty and staff can choose sessions ranging from data analytics to business writing and many others. Certificate programs are available. View catalogue and sign up now.

BMCC Celebrates Alumni Champions
BMCC Alumni Champions are a special group of alumni who are currently BMCC staff or faculty members. On April 5, a celebration in Richard Harris Terrace at 199 Chambers Street honored the contribution of Alumni Champions to student success and elevating the level of service at BMCC. After welcome remarks by Interim President Karrin E. Wilks, alumni speakers included Tiffany James ('06, Student Affairs), and Doug Machovic ('66, Health Education department). If you attended or graduated from BMCC and are a current faculty or staff member, you are automatically an BMCC Alumni Champion. Please identify yourself to Yaritza Gonzalez, Alumni Relations Manager, to receive a special gift of recognition: (212) 346-8455 or [email protected].

Charitable Giving Through an IRA
Donors at least 70½ years old can take advantage of a simple way to satisfy minimum required distribution and benefit BMCC students at the same time. Donate up to $100,000 from an IRA directly to the BMCC Foundation without having to pay federal income taxes. Please contact Phillip Keefe, Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving, (212) 346-8650 or [email protected] for additional information.

Alumni Invited to Connect and Network BMCC Alumni Affairs provides alumni benefits and services, as well as involving alumni in the advancement and support of BMCC. Alumni are invited to special events, profiled in BMCC publications and welcomed into the vibrant community that is BMCC. For more information, contact Yaritza Gonzalez, Manager of Alumni Relations and Annual Fund, (212) 346-8455 or [email protected]

Make a Difference in Students’ Lives: Faculty and Staff Campaign
The faculty and staff of BMCC support our students in countless ways, every single day. That support includes contributing to the BMCC Foundation Scholarship Fund. Your support of the Faculty and Staff Campaign makes a significant difference in our students’ lives. There are three easy ways to give:

• Make a donation online.
• Text your donation to BMCC at (646) 876-2622.
• Send your check, payable to the BMCC Foundation, via interoffice mail to the Office of College Development, F-1330. (Please note, you can designate your donation to your department).

MEOC Job Fair April 12

Entrepreneurship: Ask the Entrepreneur Panel Discussion
April 12

Skills to Succeed: Online Academy
April 15

Calm City NYC Meditation Van at BMCC
April 16

Music Students' Recital
April 17

	BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center Listings		Center for Career Development Events
	Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Scholarship Events		Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development Events

Make a Splash! Welcome to the Community Swim Program
The BMCC swimming pool has been renovated and is ready to welcome community swimmers, ages 18 and up. Lockers are available. Bring your own lock and towel. Entrances are at 199 Chambers Street and 77 Harrison Street. For fees and registration, contact the BMCC Athletic Department, (212) 220-8260 or the BMCC Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development, (212) 346-8410.

Spring 2019 Recreation Schedule
BMCC students, faculty and staff with current college ID are eligible to use the BMCC Fitness Center and pool for free. BMCC alumni can enjoy the free facilities with a BMCC Alumni Card. In addition to fitness machines and a pool, the BMCC Fitness Center offers Zumba classes and activities including badminton, tennis, half-court basketball and more.

Men's Baseball
April 16: BMCC versus Queensborough Community College (Padavan-Preller Complex)

@BMCC is produced and published by the Office of Public Affairs.

Faculty and staff: Submit items for consideration in an upcoming @BMCC to [email protected] by 12 noon, Wednesday.